Caterham Cars continued its global expansion yesterday when it launched its much acclaimed Superlight R300 Championship at Sepang International Circuit. The circuit, which hosts the World’s best drivers for the Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix each year, will see a grid of 16 or more race prepared R300s do battle in what is considered to be one of the closest and most competitive championships in motorsport. With their proven 175bhp Ford Duratec 2.0-litre engines and dedicated race chassis, the R300 Championship is currently the ultimate Caterham Seven series.
The expansion of the R300 Championship, having established itself as one of the finest motorsport series in the UK and Europe, will see the existing formula replicated in Malaysia but will be held exclusively at the Sepang circuit. The new championship will be backed by Air Asia with the first race weekend commencing in May 2012. Ansar Ali, Chief Executive of Caterham Cars, said: “We’re hugely excited to be officially launching the championship and demonstrating how fantastic Caterham Seven racing is, especially at such a renowned circuit which the Formula 1 drivers enjoy so much. “We already have plans to expand the grids to over 40 cars in the coming years; we know how much appetite there is for motorsport in the East and this is a terrific platform on which to continue expanding our motorsport and road car business in this part of the world.” As well as Ansar Ali, Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of Air Asia and owner of Caterham Cars, was also in attendance during yesterday’s event which marked the official announcement of the championship. Operating the series will be Caterham Motorsport’s Malaysian partner, the prominent Thunder Asia Racing Team, run by Raja Zaini. It will manage race package sales, build the race vehicles, provide technical support, transport and race organisation.
